Jewish Federation correspondence, meeting minutes, and other records, item 21

SOVIET JEWRY MEETING Wednesday, July 27, 1988 Minutes ATTENDANCE: PRESENT Leo Wilner, Chair Steve Lang Fannie Bea Levin Beverly Eisen Norm Kaufman Suzan Lane Frank Aaron Rita Mo s e s Marla G e r e c ht Barbara Gaffin (Guest) The meeting was called to order at 12:15 P.M. following lunch at the Federation Office. Introductions of those present were made. Welcome and introduction of guest speaker Barbara Gaffin, of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry were made by Leo Wilner. Background of the conference is that it is an unbrella organization the voice in the community on Soviet Jewry. It is comprised of 50 National agencies and 300 local communities, which are members of the Conference, including The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. They keep a fairly middle -of-the-road position. They bring both sides together to make policies. They work with Congress, the states, and the Soviet Union. Barbara is the Congressioanl Liaison in Washington, D.C. Every administration has been a friend of Soviet Jewry. Discussion followed as to what is currently going on in the Soviet Union, Glasnost, and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev's policies. The NCSJ uses the carrot approach rather than the stick approach. Congressman Jack Kemp is not satisfied with the number of Soviet Visas. We must keep a positive perspective. At this time, Hebrew cannot be taught but can be learned in a study group. The Soviets have reduced the harrasment level; more people have opted to stay in the Soviet Union to help develop and revise Jewish culture. Jews who presently want to leave the Soviet Union are considered outcasts. There are no longer Prisoner of Conscience! Some of the issues NCSJ is working on in Washington are Arms Control should not be linked to Soviet Jewry; Sen. McClure from Idaho has an amendment that NCSJ is opposed to. Security issues and Human Rights for all are other areas of concern. According to the Helsinki Accords (Human Rights) have established "Most Favored Nation Status".SOVIET JEWRY MEETING JULY 27, 1988 Page 2 Soviets have signed the agreement along with other documents that guarantee the right to leave their country. The Jackson/Vannik bill is great, even though human rights are not mentioned in it. NCSJ feels nothing major will happen prior to the November elections. McClure allies may include Sen. Chic Hecht, of Nevada. NCSJ opposes granting "Most Favored Nation Status" to the Soviet Union, unless numbers are good. There are in use presently, unmarked El A1 fights to and from Israel and the Soviet Union. Israel is awaiting permission to set up an Israeli Consulate there in the Soviet Union. Each country t'hat accepts Soviet immigrants must supply its own visas, and not everyone will be issued Israeli visas. American (U.S.) visas are what is being looked and hoped for the most. In 1987, 90% of the Jews that left the Soviet Union did not go to Israel. Israel needs people and yet the numbers are dropping. This is due to Anti-Israel propaganda by the Soviets; it is difficult finding both housing and employment in Israel; it is an easier life style in the United States; and America takes care of its Soviet Jews, we help them and it encourages them to come here. It is a real delima, Israel is for ideology and the United States is for lifestyle. There are about 2% million Jews in the Soviet Union compared to the 6 million in the United States. There are about 10,000-30,000 Refusniks there. The Soviet Union is consistently in-consistent ! 51,000 visas were granted in 1979 and 8,000 in 1987. First time applicants numbered about 8,000. Senators Hecht and Reid have both been strong supporters of Soviet Jewry. Congressman Bilbray shows outstanding backing and support of Soviet Jewry as does Governor Bryan. Vucanovich is an unknown. Questions and answers followed. The Women?s Plea for Soviet Jewry will be held on December 10, 1988, and will be convened by WomenHs American Ort. This will be the 40th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. Majorie Corman is the National Chairperson of this event . The meeting stood adjourned at 1:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Beverly Eisen, Coordinator Community Relations